ILLUMINATING UC DAVIS HEALTH:
A STANTEC STORY OF
Light and Space
By RANDY REID
In the realms of healthcare and administration, lighting plays a pivotal role in creating an environment that promotes well-being and productivity. For UC Davis Health's administrative offices, this was the ethos behind the lighting design spearheaded by the multi-disciplinary team at Stantec, including lighting designer Lauren MacLeod. The extensive project, set within a mammoth 194,000 square foot facility over two floors, sought to bring the outside in, all while working within the constraints of the LEED Gold standard. MacLeod detailed how Stantec's integrated team structure, encompassing interior designers, architects, and engineers, cultivated an environment ripe for innovative lighting solutions. The collaboration began early in the conceptual phase, ensuring that lighting was not an afterthought but rather a central component of the design. Reflecting on the process, she remarked, "We were brought in early, right at the onset of concept development." She emphasized the significance of this phase, noting, "That's where most of our work is done—in concept development, SD phases, and then DD phases." Lauren commented on the extent of her involvement, adding, "We may or may not be included in the CD phase. We don't come back on board again until the CA phase where we conduct submittal reviews and ensure everything is in order with a final site visit." A significant challenge was the building's massive 2-story floor plates and limited perimeter glazing, which initially allowed minimal daylight penetration. The design solution? Introducing new skylights that not only enhanced the natural light flow but also created visual connections between the two floors, creating a sense of openness and accessibility throughout the expansive interior spaces.
Newly introduced skylights not only enhance the natural light flow but also create visual connections between the two floors.
Lauren explained, "The new skylights we introduced transformed the space, bridging the first and second floors with natural light. From the second floor, there's this beautiful visual connectivity to the first, which really opens up at the two-story spaces flanking the building's entrance." The project's sustainable design was further exemplified by the introduction of architectural elements such as west-facing vertical panels to mitigate direct sunlight and heat gain. These panels, coupled with strategic backlighting, achieved a dual purpose – controlling the light while crafting an inviting entrance that would resonate with visitors and staff alike. The vertical highlights extended to the ceiling plane in the form of light coves to envelope the entire space. 26
designing lighting
Vertical panels coupled with strategic backlighting control the light while crafting an inviting entrance.